Nguyen released her second album, We Brave Bee Stings and All, on Jan. 29, 2008. It is credited to "Thao With The Get Down Stay Down on the spine of the release and marketed as just Thao on the jewel case security label and sticker on front of the release and all material from KRS records."
After picking up her guitar at the age of 12, Thao Nguyen began performing and recording as a pop-country duo with a high school friend. Raised in Falls Church, Virginia with her single mother, she often practiced her songs while working at her mother's laundromat. She often cites Lilith Fair as an inspiration for her desire to become a singer/songwriter. After recording an EP that differed from her initial style, she began performing as a soloist with her acoustic guitar. In 2005 she recorded Like The Linen, her first full-length album.
Nguyen initially toured as a duo with drummer Willis Thompson, but expanded her act to a band of four durng the Kill Rock Stars "Sound The Hare Heard" tour. The band now consists of Nguyen, Willis Thompson, Adam Thompson, and Frank Stewart. The band was named The Get Down Stay Down by a former bassist.
Thao Nguyen continues to perform as a soloist on occasion, including a European tour with Laura Veirs and the Tortured Souls in August 2006.
website; www.thaomusic.com
Swimming Pools
Thao Nguyen Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We restore water we cry
We are nothing if not your granddaughters
We have been nothing but dignified
We, we brave bee stings and all
And we don't dive, we cannonball
And we splash our eyes full of chemicals
Just so there's none left for little girls
Roll, roll, roll up your denim
We've got to pedal 10 hours south
They pour it down from their balconies
You've got to push all the doubt to the side of your mouth
We, we brave bee stings and all
And we don't dive, we cannonball
And we splash our eyes full of chemicals
Just so there's none left for little girls
Just so there's none left for little girls
We are sore the length of our bodies
We restore water we cry
We are nothing if not your granddaughters
We have been nothing but dignified
We, we brave bee stings and all
And we don't dive, we cannonball
And we splash our eyes full of chemicals
Just so there's none left for little girls
Just so there's none left for little girls
Thao Nguyen's Swimming Pools is a contemplative song that deals with issues of identity, femininity, and aging. The lyrics evoke images of a group of women who are physically exhausted and emotionally drained, yet still resilient and determined to stand their ground. The women are portrayed as being sore the length of their bodies, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the physical and emotional toll that life has taken on them. However, they are also aware of their own strength and their ability to restore themselves, to cry, and to keep going.
The refrain "we brave bee stings and all, and we don't dive, we cannonball" highlights the women's steadfastness and their refusal to take things easy. They cannonball into the deep end, despite the risks of getting stung by bees or getting hurt in the process. They are willing to embrace the pain and the struggle because it's the only way to fully experience life.
The line "we splash our eyes full of chemicals, just so there's none left for little girls" could be interpreted as a way of reclaiming control over their bodies and their lives. The women are using chemicals to block out the possibility of any more tears or pain, but they do so with the knowledge that little girls are watching them. They are setting an example for the next generation of women, showing them that life is tough but that you can still be dignified and brave.
Overall, Swimming Pools is a song that speaks to the resilience of women, their ability to find beauty in the midst of pain, and their determination to keep going despite all odds. It's a reminder that life can be hard, but it's also full of joy and wonder, and that we should embrace it all.
Line by Line Meaning
We are sore the length of our bodies
We are exhausted physically and emotionally.
We restore water we cry
We try to heal ourselves with water, but end up crying instead.
We are nothing if not your granddaughters
Our identities are defined by our relationship to others, specifically our grandmothers.
We have been nothing but dignified
We have always acted with grace and respect.
We, we brave bee stings and all
Despite challenges and pain, we remain brave and determined.
And we don't dive, we cannonball
We don't hold back, we make big, bold moves.
And we splash our eyes full of chemicals
We subject ourselves to harmful things in the pursuit of joy and fun.
Just so there's none left for little girls
We sacrifice our own well-being so that younger girls won't have to suffer the same way.
Roll, roll, roll up your denim
Get ready to work and be active.
We've got to pedal 10 hours south
We have a long way to go, but we are determined to get there.
They pour it down from their balconies
Others have abundance and can afford to waste things.
You've got to push all the doubt to the side of your mouth
Ignore doubt and fear, and focus on taking action.
Contributed by Lincoln Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ubiquitoussynergy91
I forgot about this song for like 6 years I'm glad I rediscovered it
@lindersi
I still come here, and love it.
Kept me sticking with this one.
@te.sss11
THAO'S A BADASS.
@thespookyone65
simply floored by thao. not only does the music rock, she writes some of the most incredible lyrics ever.
@hellokitty826
I loved the ending when she hit all the guys in the band with her banjo. Her expression was cute.
@portzblitz
Thao & GDSD are new awesomeness for me! Big, big fandom. Love.
@banjony
rock that banjo girl!
@isaacguti8793
I Love it, i hear you from Mexico, I hope one day you can come here in a festival, it will be fantastic. (:
@accidentalstarrs
I couldn't agree more.
@darkopacity
I love this! Thao, you're awesome sauce!